New Delhi: The Congress and CPI(M) have strongly objected to Doordarshan’s decision to screen the controversial film The Kerala Story, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying that the public service broadcaster “should not become a propaganda machine of the BJP-RSS combine” and must withdraw its decision, considering the upcoming polls.
The Kerala Congress meanwhile approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) Friday to stop Doordarshan from telecasting the movie.
In an X post Thursday, Doordarshan — which is still the most widely viewed TV channel in India — announced that it will be screening the film Friday, describing it as “the story of Kerala that shook the whole world!”
Vijayan Thursday condemned Doordarshan’s decision in an X post, asserting that Kerala “will remain steadfast in opposing such malicious attempts to sow hatred”.
केरल की वो कहानी जिसने पूरी दुनिया को झकझोर कर रख दिया!
दूरदर्शन आपके लिए लाया है ब्लॉकबस्टर फिल्म #TheKeralaStory। @sudiptoSENtlm के दमदार निर्देशन के साथ इस फिल्म में नजर आएंगे @adah_sharma, योगिता बिहानी, @soniabalani9 और @Pranavmisshra जैसे शानदार सितारे। देखना न… pic.twitter.com/vGTCP6536i
— Doordarshan National दूरदर्शन नेशनल (@DDNational) April 5, 2024
The decision by @DDNational to broadcast the film 'Kerala Story', which incites polarisation, is highly condemnable. The national news broadcaster should not become a propaganda machine of the BJP-RSS combine and withdraw from screening a film that only seeks to exacerbate…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 4, 2024
In a letter to the ECI, the Congress’s V. D. Satheesan, who is Leader of Opposition in the Kerala assembly, wrote, “As you are aware, Kerala Story is a propaganda film based on extremely false premises and attempts to paint a bleak picture of the people of the state. It is also in violation of model poll conduct, which forbids any effort to divide society on religious lines. In light of these contentions, I request your good self to direct Doordarshan to withdraw from its decision.”
He further wrote that the “decision by the central government to telecast the movie via Doordarshan before the Lok Sabha elections is a tacit effort to divide society on religious grounds to further the electoral prospects of the ruling BJP”.
“The decision of Doordarshan is a direct insult to the people of Kerala. It is also in violation of model poll conduct, which forbids any effort to divide society on religious lines,” he further wrote in the letter, which he shared on X.
Requested @ECISVEEP to stop telecast of #KeralaStory as it is a malicious attempt to divide society&spread falsehood. Any attempt to depict Kerala in a negative & dishonest way should be stopped. #Doordarshan has become a SanghParivar tool spreading wrong and propogandist content pic.twitter.com/VeSTAWsdls
— V D Satheesan (@vdsatheesan) April 5, 2024
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also commented on the move while speaking to ANI. “To be honest, it’s really shameful. When The Kerala Story came out, everyone pointed out that this was not the real Kerala story. Kerala is a state of social harmony and co-existence and not a state that is some sort of Pakistan that this movie wants to show. And yet, the lies of this film being officially circulated by an official broadcaster is truly disgusting, it’s propaganda at its cheapest and worst…,” the agency quoted him as saying.
#WATCH | On Doordarshan to broadcast the movie – 'Kerala Story', Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "To be honest, it's really shameful. When the Kerala Story came out, everyone pointed out that this was not the real Kerala story. Kerala is a state of social harmony and… pic.twitter.com/p6hmbhXYH6
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2024
Also registering its protest against the decision, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M), said it would organise a protest march to the Doordarshan office in the state capital.
According to an ANI report, CPI(M) MP A. A. Rahim told the media Friday: “Do not make Doordarshan a hate factory…this is a challenge to constitutional values.”
Also read: Kerala Story to 72 Hoorain—Hindi films finally addressing Islam. Muslims must engage not oppose
The Kerala Story controversy
The Sudipto Sen-directed The Kerala Story, starring Adah Sharma — which was released in May last year, found itself at the centre of a controversy from the moment the trailer was released. Based on a group of Muslim women joining the Islamic State, it sparked a massive political row and massive protests.
West Bengal had even banned the film. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said it was made to “humiliate a section of society”.
The film’s trailer initially claimed it was based on the “heartbreaking and gut-wrenching stories of 32,000 women” who had purportedly joined ISIS, but was later changed on YouTube after massive backlash. The changed trailer claimed the film was based on “true stories of three young girls from different parts of Kerala”.
Many called out the makers for creating a movie that could lead to communal tensions against Muslims.
Later, the Kerala High Court had refused to stay the release of the film, stating that the movie trailer did not contain anything offensive to any particular community as a whole, stating that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had examined the movie and found that it suitable for public exhibition.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
Also read: ED questions Kerala ex-MP PK Biju in Karuvannur bank ‘scam’ ahead of polls. CPM says ‘not scared’
Boss who is watching DD know. I hardly see anyone watching DD channel. It exists also😅. And airing anything on it matters 😅.I have a question?? What is the viewer percentage of DD channel except for few exceptions like worldcup etc.